§ 43. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that during the months of May and June the Poplar Electricity Station consumed 6,182 tons of coal, and that during .this period the borough council were charged various prices for coal, these ranging from 100 per cent. above the contract prices; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this state of affairs and take the necessary steps to put an end to this profiteering?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been supplied with particulars of this case, and I understand that of the amount of coal consumed 4,500 tons was taken from stock and was not affected by any rise in price. I am having the figures of the remainder analysed, but I may remind the hon. Member that in present circumstances, substantial increases over pre-stoppage prices are inevitable and do not necessarily involve profiteering.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhy are these rises " inevitable "?
§ Colonel LANE FOXA great deal of coal has been diverted from its normal course; a great deal has been distributed 20 in much smaller quantities and in a great many cases there has been an expense in lifting coal.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that not a single one of the reasons he has given applies in this case?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI am having these figures analysed.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this cake costs any more to produce, or whether the Government are simply relying on the law of supply and demand?
§ Colonel LANE FOXOf course, we cannot ever ignore the law of supply and demand.
§ Mr. BROADDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the danger of a stoppage which is profitable to coal-owners?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI do not think there is much fear of this stoppage being profitable to anybody in the coal industry.